The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group welcomes the adoption of the Paris agreement on climate change

Paris, 12 December 2015 – The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group welcomes the adoption of the first ever universal agreement to tackle climate change today at COP21 in Paris. The Paris agreement will accelerate the shift to a thriving, clean, decarbonised economy.

"The Paris agreement will accelerate the shift to a new sustainable, equitable and decarbonised world."

Philippe Joubert, Chair of The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group

“Today in Paris, we have reached an historic milestone as COP21 has delivered the first ever universal climate agreement. Countries have demonstrated true leadership by agreeing to a target of net zero emissions and a five-year review to strengthen climate ambition. The text also improves accountability and includes a welcome reference to the 1.5°C goal.

“Business leaders and investors now have a clear direction of travel, a global framework to speed up and scale up of their solutions. The Paris agreement will accelerate the shift to a new sustainable, equitable and decarbonised world. We thank everyone who’s contributed to this historic achievement, including visionary leaders from business and governments.”

CLG Director Sandrine Dixson-Declève, said:

“By agreeing to a long-term goal of net zero emissions, a regular cycle of commitments to increase ambition, and clear rules and accountability, countries in the negotiations have shown true leadership. They have created a new global framework to deliver action on climate change, and brought hope that global warming can be kept at manageable levels.

“The message is clear that the whole world is now irrevocably committed to climate action. Businesses and investors around the world have a clear direction of travel. The Paris agreement is just a beginning. Now is the time for bold implementation of what has been agreed to turn the already growing low-carbon economy into the new normal.”

Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever, a member of the CLG, said:

“The world demanded climate action and the international community has responded. Today’s agreement demonstrates without question that it is possible for us to come together in common cause to address the greatest challenges we face, preventing tragedy for the many millions of people vulnerable to the effects of climate change and securing the economic prosperity of the world in the 21st century.

The result is an unequivocal signal to the business and financial communities, one that will drive real change in the real economy."

Ignacio S. Galán, Iberdrola Chairman & CEO, said:

“Iberdrola welcomes the result of the Paris COP21. The agreement that has been reached is not an aim itself but an important milestone in the unstoppable process of joining wills and actions from the international community – governments, civil society and companies - in order to decarbonise the economy, thus contributing to avoid climate change negative effects.

“Efforts now must be focused on the implementation of the agreement and on an in-depth analysis of their significance and also on the instruments needed to mobilise the important resources and investments required to meet the ambitious goal of keeping global average temperature well below 2°C. Iberdrola, as it has been doing since its creation, will be strongly committed with the sustainability of our planet in all of its actions showing the decarbonisation of the economy may contribute to economic and employment growth.”

Feike Sijbesma, CEO and Chairman of Royal DSM, a CLG member, said:

"Today, world leaders are writing history by paving the way for a low-carbon future with an agreement to stave off the climate crisis we are facing. As Royal DSM is committed to reducing emissions and enabling a low-carbon economy, we welcome this ambitious agreement that sets a long term goal and sends a clear signal that GHG emissions must be reduced as early as possible. This is good news as the longer we fail to address climate change, the higher the costs of adaptation for the next generations."

Niall Dunne, Chief Sustainability Officer, BT Group, said:

"The agreement from Paris will catalyse a business community that is already embracing the multi-billion dollar opportunity of a shift toward a cleaner, more resilient world. Business, and in particular the ICT sector, will continue to collaborate, innovate and scale to deliver actionable ways to make a sustainable future a reality. The US$5.5 trillion global market for low-carbon goods and services is set to get a whole lot bigger."

ENDS/

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About The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group

The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group (CLG) brings together 23 European business leaders who work under the patronage of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to advocate solutions on climate change to policymakers and business peers within the EU and globally.

CLG members are committed to playing a leadership role in securing a just, low-carbon transition, both in terms of changing their own businesses and sectors, and advocating change in the wider economic and political context. At a minimum the CLG supports the goal of achieving net zero emissions globally well before 2100. The CLG has galvanised tangible business momentum for this goal through the Trillion Tonne Communique, signed by over 160 companies.

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